How to Go Nude

If you’ve ever applied nude makeup you probably know what it means to look washed out, or worse, like you haven’t done a thing. “A lot of women thinks nude means pale,” said Kimberly Soane, Bobbi Brown’s director of global artistry, when nude is actually about highlighting your natural skin tone. Here are some tips on how to get this timeless, goes-with-everything look.

The Best Nude Lipsticks, Glosses and Pencils

Lips
The key to nude lips is choosing a shade with a hint of color. You’re not trying to neutralize your entire face. Needless to say, the color of your skin tone determines what product you choose, but the idea is to brighten your pout.

For pale skin, try a peachy-pink color; for olive skin tones, choose a warm color with gold or caramel undertone, like NARS Buenos Aires Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($24; available April 15 at Narscosmetics.com); and for darker skin choose a deep honey or light coffee color.

Nails
A nude polish is a universally flattering color that works with every outfit. Yep, all of ’em. The nice thing about a neutral nail is that you don’t necessarily have to wear polish; if you’re happy with your natural nail, just add a glossy coat.

But a nude nail can look very bridal, and while we adore the classic imagery, it might not be ideal on a day-to-day basis. Choosing a good color depends on how bold you want to go; we like the beige-colored Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect polish in Dune ($5.50, Drugstore.com). As long as the color appears natural and makes your nails look healthier than before, you’ve perfected a nude nail.

Editor’s Picks: The Best Spring Lipsticks

Skin
The idea with nude skin is to enhance your natural skin tone and draw out your best facial features. “When you create a makeup [look] based on the tones already found in your face, you will, in fact, create your perfect personal nude,” said Soane. Like choosing the right blush: “If you pinch your cheek, that will be your perfect nude blush,” she added.

Also note that your skin’s nude will change with the seasons. What works in winter may not work in the summer. We really like Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder ($50, Bobbibrown.com). After you’ve applied your makeup, dust this powder across your face lightly to blend colors and add a little evening sparkle to your face.

Eyes
The fantastic thing about a nude eye is that it kills two birds with one stone: hides dark circles and adds a little color to your face at the same time. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can use a nude shadow to conceal a rough night’s sleep. Select a color almost identical to your skin tone and apply generously to your lids.

To draw attention to your eyes and enhance their natural color, follow the same color guidelines that you did for your lips. Try Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude ($11, Ulta.com), a product with nine shades to help you figure out which one matches your tone.

Have you mastered the nude look yet?

Photo: Frederic Cirou @ PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections

DailyMakeover.com from Makeover Solutions, Inc., is the web’s leading beauty information site, providing virtual makeover technology and content for women to create personalized makeovers. DailyMakeover.com’s virtual Makeover Studio enables users to see themselves wearing numerous hairstyles, makeup shades and fashion accessories to create their best makeovers, which can be saved, printed, or emailed. DailyMakeover.com is headquartered in New York City.

10 Celeb-Inspired Hairstyles to Try This Spring

You always see celebs walk the red carpet with intricate updos. But what about hairstyles that could update your daily look? See 10 celebs sporting 10 springy hairstyles and tips from the pros on how to get each look!

RACHEL MCADAMS

 

Three words: EASY SEXY HAIR. Pay attention—this look can have you looking hotter than Rihanna’s trendy tousled waves at the Grammys. In less than half the time. Promise.

But you have to have at least a little natural wave to make it work.

PRODUCTS:

Blowdryer with diffuser

Wide tooth comb

1-inch Iron

Pureology Illuminating Curl Stylist 24 Hour Shaping Lotion ($24 on Ulta.com)

Pureology Colour Stylist Anti-Breakage Twist Shine Texturizer ($20.99 on Sleekhair.com)

Pureology Colour Stylist Strengthening Control Zero Dulling Hairspray ($14.50 on Amazon.com)

HOW TO:

Start with hair fresh out of the shower. Do not dry with blowdryer or towel. Instead, blot the water out.

TIP: Coarse terrycloth towels can disrupt curl patterns. Try a microfiber towel for less frizz! Sleeping on a microfiber pillowcase will also keep curls better.

Section the hair into two or three horseshoe-shaped sections around your head. Starting at the nape of your neck, twist in a small amount of Pureology Colour Stylist Illuminating Curl Stylist 24 Hour Shaping Lotion (maybe a couple pearls per section). Wrap sections around one or two fingers, depending on how much wave you have. Next, diffuse hair with blow-dryer on low to medium force and heat. Do not separate the hair as it dries. Instead, cup the curls in the diffuser, holding the nozzle several inches off the scalp. Dry hair to 90%.

TIP: Over-drying hair is a frizz catastrophe! When in doubt, stop sooner rather than later and let hair air-dry the rest of the way.

Finally, apply a nickel-size amount of Pureology Colour Stylist Anti-Breakage Twist Shine Texturizer and work into hands. Run the defining cream through waves to break up curls and add shine. If needed, use the 1-inch iron by coil-wrapping around the barrel, holding the ends loose to keep the organic feel. This trick is great to polish unruly shorter layers or fringe!

Photo credit: Classy-Hairstyles.com

Byu-Ti Salon is Santa Monica’s premier hair boutique, catering to some of Hollywood’s most notable manes, including that of Ivanka Trump, Molly Sims and Eva Herzigova. The founder of Byu-Ti Salon, Natasha Sunshine, is known in the Los Angeles and New York City fashion circles for her keen sense of style and unique approach to hair therapy, Natasha not only created a six-step consulting system for helping her staff identify and meet her client’s needs, she has also developed her own seven different hair care products, to supplement the line of top-notch goodies already in use at her salon. When Natasha is not helping people feel fabulous from the inside out, or making herself camera-ready for a television appearance (most recently, The Rachael Ray Show), she is working as an industry leader and educator for L’Oreal’s exclusive hair care line, Pureology.